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John Cliffe

John Cliffe (1661–1728) was an Irish barrister, landowner and politician. He sat in the Irish House of Commons for many years, where he was often called on to speak for the Government, and held the office of Serjeant-at-law (Ireland). He was probably born at Dungulf Castle, near Fethard-on-Sea, County Wexford. He was the eldest son among the eleven children of John Cliffe and Eleanor Loftus, fifth daughter of Nicholas Loftus of Fethard and Margaret Chetham. His father was a trusted Cromwellian official who came to Ireland in 1649 to serve as secretary to Henry Ireton, son-in-law of Oliver Cromwell and Lord Deputy of Ireland. Cliffe was sometimes referred to as the Irish "Secretary of War", though this was not his official title. At the Restoration of Charles II his Cromwellian past was not held against him: he was confirmed in the numerous grants of land he had received in Wexford and in County Meath, including Dungulf and Mulrankin. He became a respected local politician, serving as MP for Taghmon 1661-6 and High Sheriff of Wexford 1680–81. He died in 1691. John, the son, was called to the Bar and became Third Serjeant in 1711, and Second Serjeant in 1712.…

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Article summary

John Cliffe (1661–1728) was an Irish barrister, landowner and politician. He sat in the Irish House of Commons for many years, where he was often called on to speak for the Government, and held the office of Serjeant-at-law (Ireland). He was probably born at Dungulf Castle, near Fethard-on-Sea, County Wexford. He was the eldest son among the eleven children of John Cliffe and Eleanor Loftus, fifth daughter of Nicholas Loftus of Fethard and Margaret Chetham. His father was a trusted Cromwellian official who came to Ireland in 1649 to serve as secretary to Henry Ireton, son-in-law of Oliver Cromwell and Lord Deputy of Ireland. Cliffe was sometimes referred to as the Irish "Secretary of War", though this was not his official title. At the Restoration of Charles II his Cromwellian past was not held against him: he was confirmed in the numerous grants of land he had received in Wexford and in County Meath, including Dungulf and Mulrankin. He became a respected local politician, serving as MP for Taghmon 1661-6 and High Sheriff of Wexford 1680–81. He died in 1691. John, the son, was called to the Bar and became Third Serjeant in 1711, and Second Serjeant in 1712.…

Key claims

  1. date of death: 1691 — source: Wikipedia · confidence 0.95
  2. date of death: 1728 — source: Wikipedia · confidence 0.95
  3. date of death: 1745 — source: Wikipedia · confidence 0.95

Discussion questions

  1. Summarise the article in your own words. Which single claim would you verify first, and why?
  2. The record states that the date of death is "1691". What evidence would count against this claim?
  3. The record states that the date of death is "1728". What evidence would count against this claim?
  4. The record states that the date of death is "1745". What evidence would count against this claim?
  5. Which claim in this article is most likely to be revised as the sources update? How would you check its current status?
  6. If two sources disagreed about one of these facts, what would you need in order to trust one over the other?

Bibliography

  1. Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1352982307

Key claims and bibliography are generated from the same tracked claims and sources as the article page.